An Assistant's Life at Parkvets
By Andy Perry MRCVS
In May 2001, after ten months in mixed practice, I joined Parkvets as the full time locum vet. Although initially I enjoyed the challenge of omni-competency, I left mixed practice because I became extremely frustrated by knowing very little about a awful lot of species! I felt that not only did I want a new challenge but that I also wanted to develop as a clinician and surgeon to the fullest of my potential.
There were many reasons for specifically joining Parkvets at the time, both personal and professional, but the most important question is not why I joined but why I stayed.
Motivated to Develop
As with most of our vets, I started life as the practice locum but my role quickly changed and has continued to evolve over the past five years. I am now one of the vets responsible for delivering year round pet care from our hospital facility. This progression is the norm for most of the clinical team, with great diversity in both clinical position and responsibilities. Development is driven largely by the individual. Whatever discipline you wish to explore (even if it is just better all round skills) is encouraged by a supportive management team.
All of our nurses are either working towards VN status or nursing diplomas and as a result, the overall level of enthusiasm to learn and motivation to succeed is very high.
High Standards
Clinical standards across the practice are excellent, approaching that of some referral centres. Our clients come to expect the best not only in the way we treat their pets but also in the way we treat them. The fifteen minute consultations and very active nurse clinics help to bond our clients to the practice and also the individual surgeon. We are encouraged to keep continuity of our individual cases, which I feel gives a great deal of personal satisfaction and allows us to develop strong relationships with our clients and their pets.
As you would expect at a tier three veterinary hospital the facilities and equipment are all in place to do all that we need. Often in general practice the shiniest of kit is just for the bosses or the equipment listed in the advert is lying dusty in a cupboard. Here everyone has the opportunity to use the toys and there is plenty of on the job as well as funded CPD away days as well.
Strong Team
One of the most important things to me in the practice is the interaction between all of the staff. There is never a shortage of advice available if you need help with a case. Equally, internal referrals to specialising vets are encouraged.
We have a diploma holder in diagnostic imaging, and certificate holder in radiography. In addition, there are other colleagues studying surgery, medicine, ophthalmology, dermatology and dentistry giving great breadth and depth to our team. Very little is referred outwith the practice, giving our patients the best care and the vets the ability to continue to learn.
Lively Social Life
There is a strong team spirit between all of the staff and this translates to a lively social life, making use of the diverse range of entertainments London and Kent have to offer. Theatres, pubs, cycling, cinemas, pubs, clubs, parachuting, beaches, pubs, beautiful Kent countryside and of course lets not forget the pubs!
Support and Care
Parkvets has a structured management team so we have a line manager who provides support from orchestrating the rotas to lending an ear when advice is needed. Overall the management team is very approachable, willing to listen, and forward thinking and it gives me confidence that the practice will continue to do well no matter what happens in the future of the profession.
As with all jobs they are what you make them, both in terms of development and also enjoyment. The positive experiences at Parkvets to date has significantly outweighed the negatives that are found in all jobs and I still look forward to coming to work on a daily basis.
Want To Read More? - See Also:
Learning At Parkvets - The Final Year Student's Viewpoint
Our Pet in Your Hands - A Parkvets Client's Experience
What's it all about - A word for Parkvets MD.
Ready to Apply? Send Us Your CV Now!
- Email it to Dave Nicol at: dave.nicol@parkvets.com.
- Or snail mail it to: Dave Nicol, Parkvets Veterinary Hospital, 53-55 Maidstone Road, Footscray, Sidcup, Kent DA14 5HB.
- Or download our online application form (MS word doc).
